News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Mr. Harman was taken to Cavan Police Station and charged with the murder of 82-year-old Mr. Michael Treanor at 10.45pm. Sgt. Green asked the accused if he wished to make a reply and he said: "Yes I did it. I have given statements that I done it."

Judge Sean MacBride remanded Mr. Harman in custody to Castlerea Prison to appear at Virginia District Court on Tuesday, July 5.

At the request of his solicitor, the judge agreed to transfer Harman from Castlerea to Cloverhill where there is better medical facilities.

Legal aid was granted when the court heard that Mr. Harman was married with one children and worked as a general laborer.
(Source: The Anglo Celt)
Clare

Over 2,000 construction jobs could be created in Clare for five years if one of the two sites identified in the new County Development Plan for a €1 billion hydroelectricity generating plant are fully developed.
Atlantic Force chairman, Padraig Howard has predicted that between 2,000 and 2,500 construction jobs could be created in West or East Clare if planning approval for a major 400 to 600 megawatt pumped hydroelectricity storage plant is secured. The Barefield windfarm developer predicted between 50 and 75 permanent maintenance jobs could be created if his plans come to fruition.

In fact, Mr Howard believes there is a strong case why the two sites could be developed to transform Clare into the renewable energy leader in the country.

While up to 50 potential sites were identified for the generation of hydroelectricity by the Spirit of Ireland throughout the country, Mr Howard noted Clare has a distinct advantage because of its topography, the lack of EU Natura protected habitats in the two areas, the presence of a 400 kilowatt distribution line traversing the two sites and suitability of land for windfarms.

Having conducted pre-feasibility studies, Atlantic Force, a Clare-based renewable energy company, which is linked to the proposed development of a large windfarm in Mount Callan currently being assessed by An Bord Pleanála, has employed world leading consultancy firm, Knight Piesolt to conduct a feasibility study on the development of a hydroelectricity generating plant in Clare.
(Source: The Clare Champion)

Cork

Confirmation last week that orthopaedic services will move from St Mary’s Orthopaedic to the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital has been blasted in Cork as a “shameless u-turn”, amid calls for Fine Gael TD, Dara Murphy, to resign.

Around 300 people, some carrying signs saying "Betrayed by Dara and Kathleen", gathered outside the health facility in Gurranabraher on Tuesday. They protested against the move, which was confirmed last week following a review by the Department of Health, despite a promise by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly earlier this year that the closure would not take place.

In an interview with the Cork Independent on Wednesday, 23 February 2011, Cllr Dara Murphy said that Dr James Reilly, then party health spokesperson, had given Cllr Murphy his commitment to maintain the services at St Mary’s while he was Lord Mayor.

“It makes no sense to move the service from a green open space to a congested and cramped facility at a cost of €4m. That would be wrong,” he said in February.

Sinn Féin TD, Jonathan O’Brien, criticized the decision last week to move and called on Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy to resign from the parliamentary party.
Source: (Cork Independent)
Derry

Two Moville based business owners were left shocked when they discovered their business had been broken into last Wednesday night.

Tony and Monica Kitson, owners of Bits and Bobs shop in Moville, arrived at the premises in James Street in the morning last week only to discover their business had been ransacked.

The owners believe the prowlers broke in through the back door as they broke a window and damaged a unit trying to gain entry to the Moville business.

The robbers made off with almost 400 euro in a float which Mr Kitson had kept on the premises, as well as some stock.

“I can understand stealing the stock and going for the money but to do what they did is totally uncalled for. They look like they’ve taken their hand and just wiped the shelves clear.
“It’s mindless vandalism. There is no call for it at all.”

As a result of the break in the Kitsons were forced to close their doors and cease trading for the day.
“Things are bad enough at the minute, we have been really quiet and for this to happen now on top of other things is awful. We have to close and it’s not good. We’re really struggling. We have bills to pay and I had to go to bank to let them know about the situation last week.”

Mr Kitson said himself and his wife, Monica, were due to go to a wedding last week, but had to cancel when they discovered the state of the premises.